The CFL has reported record-breaking numbers for 2024, with 31.3 million passengers using the train network over the past year – an increase of 9% compared to 2023, when the figure stood at 28.7 million. This milestone also coincides with a record group turnover of €1.2 billion.
Each day, around 1,000 trains operate across the country, offering seating capacity for up to 276,000 passengers. The Luxembourg–Esch–Rodange line carried the highest number of passengers at 9.9 million journeys – a rise of 8.78%. The second busiest was the Luxembourg–Ettelbruck–Troisvierges–Gouvy line with 6.8 million, marking an impressive 17.24% increase.
However, the Luxembourg–Wasserbillig–Trier route saw the largest increase in passenger numbers, with an 18% rise.
Train punctuality also saw slight improvement, with 90.8% of services running on time – up from 90.1% the previous year. During Monday’s annual press conference, CFL board president Jeannot Waringo expressed satisfaction with the results, noting that while they were pleased, the company remained committed to continuous improvement.
The CFL credits much of the growth in passenger numbers to ongoing infrastructure expansion. CFL director Marc Wengler cited key projects such as the transformation of Rodange station, the development of the Howald interchange hub, the continued modernisation of Luxembourg City’s central station, and the construction of the new line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg.
These efforts have been strongly supported by state investment, which totalled €336.5 million in 2024. According to a study by rail association Allianz pro Schiene, Luxembourg ranks first in per capita rail investment, with €512 spent per resident. Wengler stressed that the goal is for customers to view CFL as their “first choice” for mobility.
To meet increasing demand, new trains have been added to the fleet. Last year, six Coradia trains began passenger service, and ten Traxx MS3 locomotives were introduced for freight operations. By the end of next year, a total of 34 Coradia trains will be in service, which will represent a 46% increase in seating capacity, Wengler explained.
Beyond rail, CFL has also expanded its road-based services. The Flex car-sharing programme now includes 70 stations and 155 vehicles, 30% of which are electric, making it the country’s largest provider. In 2024, the service was used by 20,341 clients, reflecting a 28.64% increase from 2023.
The company continues being one of Luxembourg’s largest employers, currently employing 5,199 people. Last year alone, CFL received over 25,000 job applications, Wengler highlighted.
In 2024, railway infrastructure works were carried out on 264 days. In 2022, punctuality on the northern section of the Rodange–Troisvierges line suffered due to a landslide caused during renovation work in the Schiebourg tunnel.
On the southern section of the line, punctuality was also affected by major summer construction, particularly involving work on the southern part of Luxembourg City’s main station. Since the completion of these works, punctuality figures have been improving again.
